Jim Steinman is an American composer, lyricist, and record producer best known for his work with Meat Loaf on the landmark album Bat Out of Hell and its hit singles “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”. He is also known for writing and producing many of the songs for the musical, Tanz der Vampire, and the musical version of the movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Steinman’s work has been featured in a variety of films, television shows, and other media, and has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including an Academy Award nomination. Steinman is known for his bombastic, over-the-top productions and his theatrical, often surreal, lyrics. His music has been described as “epic, operatic rock anthems” and “operatic, Wagner-esque theatrical pop”.
| Name | Jim Steinman |
| Birth Date | November 1, 1947 |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, producer, composer |
| Genres | Rock, pop, hard rock, progressive rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer |
| Years Active | 1970s-present |
| Labels | Epic, Virgin, MCA |
| Notable Works | “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” |
10 Best Jim Steinman Quotes
1.
“I’m a songwriter because I’m too lazy to be a novelist.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
2.
“The only thing I was ever good at was writing songs, so I had to make the choice: Am I going to be the best songwriter I can be, or am I going to have a normal life?”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
3.
“I had the idea that songwriting was like creating a movie with sound.”
– Jim Steinman, from Smithsonian Magazine
4.
“I’m a real believer in the power of the unconscious. I don’t believe in the conscious mind. I think the unconscious is the only thing that works.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
5.
“I wanted to write epic stories, like Wagner, and I wanted to write epic music, like Beethoven.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
6.
“I think of the lyrics and the music as one thing.”
– Jim Steinman, from The New York Times
7.
“My songs are about conflict and struggle, about huge emotions.”
– Jim Steinman, from The New York Times
8.
“My songs are all stories, because I think of them in terms of movies.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
9.
“I think the idea of telling stories in music is something that goes back to the ancient Greeks.”
– Jim Steinman, from Smithsonian Magazine
10.
“I think it’s important to let the subconscious take over. I think it’s better to let the music and the lyrics write themselves.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
7 Jim Steinman Quotes About Meat Loaf
“He didn’t have a plan for his life, he just had this incredible ambition and this incredible desire and he had a great drive. I think that’s one of the reasons why we had such a great rapport.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“Meat Loaf and I had a very intense relationship. We were like brothers. We were both very emotional and very theatrical.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“I think that Meat Loaf and I connected on a certain level that was very intimate, but it was more than just a musical relationship. There was a certain sort of spiritual connection.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“I was more than just a writer for Meat Loaf. I was like a spiritual advisor and a coach.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“I think the key to Meat Loaf’s success is his incredible passion. He is a totally committed performer and he puts everything he has into his performances.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“The thing that makes Meat Loaf unique is his incredible commitment and passion for performance. He is so passionate and so committed to his art.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“He’s a very sensitive guy, and I think that’s what makes him so powerful. He has this incredible emotional intensity and that’s what makes his performances so powerful.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
5 Inspirational Jim Steinman Quotes
“I think that life is a constant struggle and search for inspiration and I think that’s what drives us all”
– Jim Steinman, from YouTube
”You can’t allow yourself to get too comfortable or you start to die. That’s why I’m always looking for something new and different.”
– Jim Steinman, from YouTube
”You have to believe in what you’re doing and keep going. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something because you can.”
– Jim Steinman, from YouTube
”You have to be willing to take a lot of risks, to be willing to fail, and to be willing to take a lot of criticism. And then you have to have faith that it’s all gonna work out.”
– Jim Steinman, from YouTube
”I think that the most important thing is to be true to yourself, and to trust yourself and your own instincts, and to never give up.”
– Jim Steinman, from YouTube
8 Famous Jim Steinman Quotes
“I don’t think I’ve ever had an idea that I thought was too big.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“I think that I’m a very ambitious songwriter. I love big ideas.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“I’m always looking for the most massive way to express an idea.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“I always look for the most extreme way to express an idea.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“I think the reason I like to write in extremes is because I feel that life is extreme and I want to reflect that.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“My job is to take dreams and make them tangible.”
– Jim Steinman, from BBC
“I don’t think I ever wrote a song which I thought was too big.”
– Jim Steinman, from BBC
“I’m always looking for ways to take things to the next level.”
– Jim Steinman, from Grammys
8 Jim Steinman Quotes About Love
“Love is an incredibly powerful emotion and I find it so inspiring.”
– Jim Steinman, from Stereogum
“Love is an incredibly powerful emotion and I find it so inspiring.”
– Jim Steinman, from Songfacts
“Love is one of those things that can make you feel like the most powerful force in the universe.”
– Jim Steinman, from Grammy
“Love is the most powerful emotion in the world.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Guardian
“I think love is the greatest force for good in the world.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“Love is a powerful and inspiring emotion.”
– Jim Steinman, from Buzzfeed
“Love is a powerful thing, it can make you feel invincible.”
– Jim Steinman, from The Telegraph
“Love is the most powerful emotion of all.”
– Jim Steinman, from HuffPost
5 Jim Steinman Quotes About Life
“I think you have to make your own life, and you have to make it as big and exciting as you can.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a roller coaster, and you don’t want to get off.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
“If you’re going to write about life you better make it extraordinary, because life is both horrible and glorious.”
– Jim Steinman, from All Music
“If you go through life and you don’t take chances, you’re not living.”
– Jim Steinman, from All Music
“Life is a lot more exciting if you take chances and try things that you haven’t done before.”
– Jim Steinman, from Rolling Stone
8 Quotes About Jim Steinman
“Jim Steinman was a genius. He was a one-off, a true original.”
– Meat Loaf, from BBC
“His music is a type of musical theatre, and he wrote the score like that,”
– Andrew Lloyd Webber, from The Guardian
“He was among the earliest creators of the big power ballad,”
– Rolling Stone, from Rolling Stone
“Jim Steinman was a true rock & roll rebel,”
– Bonnie Tyler, from uDiscover Music
“You could not hear a Jim Steinman song and not recognize it,”
– Barry Manilow, from uDiscover Music
“He was a genius and a one-off, a true original,”
– Todd Rundgren, from uDiscover Music
“He was a genius in the studio,”
– Richard Marx, from uDiscover Music
Interview with Jim Steinman
Frequently Asked Questions About Jim Steinman
1. What is Jim Steinman Best Known For?
Jim Steinman is a renowned music producer, composer, lyricist, and singer who has been involved in some of the most well-known and iconic songs of the last four decades. He is particularly known for writing the songs for Meat Loaf’s classic album Bat Out of Hell and for writing and producing the musicals Tanz der Vampire and Whistle Down the Wind. He has also worked with artists such as Bonnie Tyler, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and Air Supply. Some of his most famous quotes include:
- “I’m a rock ‘n’ roll poet.”
- “Music is the most powerful form of magic.”
- “I don’t believe in trends. I believe in great songs.”
- “I’m not a rebel; I just don’t like bad taste.”
- “Life is too short to be spent without joy.”
2. What was the first song written by Jim Steinman?
Jim Steinman is a renowned songwriter, music producer, composer, and lyricist who has written numerous hits for some of the biggest stars in the music industry. He is best known for writing the rock opera, Bat Out of Hell, for Meat Loaf, as well as for writing hits for artists such as Celine Dion and Bonnie Tyler.
- The first song that Jim Steinman wrote was “The Dream Engine”. It was written in 1969 and was a musical that was performed at Amherst College in 1971.
- In 1973, Steinman wrote the song “Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through” for Meat Loaf’s debut album, Bat Out Of Hell.
- In 1979, he wrote the song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for Bonnie Tyler, which went on to become one of her biggest hits.
- In 1984, Steinman wrote “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” for Meat Loaf, which became a number one hit in 28 countries.
- In 1995, Steinman wrote the song “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” for Celine Dion, which became a worldwide hit.
Jim Steinman has written countless songs throughout his career, but his first song was “The Dream Engine”. He has since gone on to write some of the most iconic songs in popular music and will be remembered as one of the most influential songwriters of all time.
3. What albums has Jim Steinman produced?
Jim Steinman has produced a variety of critically acclaimed albums throughout his career. Some of the most notable include:
- Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell (1977)
- Barbra Streisand’s Wet (1979)
- The Sisters of Mercy’s Floodland (1987)
- Bonnie Tyler’s Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983)
- Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back to Me Now (1996)
- Air Supply’s Hearts in Motion (1986)
- Tina Turner’s Foreign Affair (1989)
- Pandora’s Box’s Original Sin (1989)
- The Dream Engine’s The Dream Engine (1991)
Jim Steinman’s production style is characterized by its epic sound and sweeping melodies, often featuring a large string section, dramatic drumming, and powerful vocal performances. He has also been involved in song-writing for many of the albums he has produced.
4. What awards has Jim Steinman won?
Jim Steinman is an American composer, lyricist, and record producer who has won numerous awards throughout his career. His awards include:
- Grammy Awards – Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2007)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for Making Love Out of Nothing at All (1984)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) (1993)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for It’s All Coming Back to Me Now (1996)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad (1997)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Songs for Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (1999)
- ASCAP Pop Music Awards – Most Performed Song for Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through (2001)
Jim Steinman has also been recognized with numerous other awards, including an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement (2005), a BMI Film & TV Award for Most Performed Song from a Film for Total Eclipse of the Heart (1984), and a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song for I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) (1993).
5. What is the most famous Jim Steinman quote?
Jim Steinman was one of the most influential music producers and songwriters of the 20th century. He was known for his larger-than-life productions and high-energy performances, and is often quoted for his inspiring philosophies on life and music. Here is the most famous Jim Steinman quote:
- “If you’re gonna have a dream, have a big dream, and make it come true.”
This quote encapsulates Steinman’s ambition, optimism, and enthusiasm for life and music. He believed that no matter how grand your dreams, you could make them come true with enough dedication and hard work. This quote has been inspiring many to pursue their dreams and helped shape the music industry as we know it today.
Conclusion
Jim Steinman was an artist of unique vision and talent. He created some of the most memorable and influential music of the 20th century, and his work will continue to inspire generations of fans and musicians for years to come. His words, music, and lyrics will live on as a testament to his genius and creativity. Jim Steinman’s legacy will always be remembered and celebrated, and his music will remain a powerful source of inspiration for generations to come.
